Journalism Senior Wins Ailes Rising Apprentice Scholarship

Alexander Pineda, a senior journalism student, has been named Hofstra University’s 2014-15 Fox News/Ailes Rising Apprentice Scholarship recipient. The scholarship provides $10,000 in tuition remission, plus a paid summer college associate position with Fox News Channel and an opportunity to participate in the Ailes Apprentice Program.

Created by Fox News Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Roger Ailes, the Ailes Rising Apprentice program identifies and nurtures promising journalists at the college level. It is an extension of his longtime Ailes Apprentice Program, which awards year-long paid jobs with benefits to qualified minority journalists.

Pineda, of Rochester, NY, won the award on the strength of his good academic standing, strong résumé, and an essay. Past Hofstra recipients include Luz Peña ’12, currently a reporter for MundoFox, Claudia Balthazar ’14, who recently completed the Carnegie-Knight News21 journalism fellowship program, and Sidney Madden ’14.

“The Ailes Rising Apprentice award means so much because it’s a part of a great program that has a history of inspiring success,” said Pineda, who says he looks forward to working in a newsroom and learning from professional journalists. “I have an amazing opportunity to build relationships and really start my career off on the right foot.”

Pineda is enrolled in the BA/MA dual-degree program in journalism at Hofstra, and is slated to earn his undergraduate degree in May 2015 and his graduate degree the following year. He also has a minor in philosophy. On campus, Pineda is the president of the Hofstra University Association of Black Journalists, a campus chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. He is also a staff member of campus radio station WRHU 88.7 FM, as well as a writer for the campus newspaper, The Hofstra Chronicle. He is currently an intern in the sports department of New 12 Long Island, and spent last summer interning at WROC-TV in Rochester.

“The Herbert School has helped me develop skills that are going to be key to success in the industry,” said Pineda, who hopes to be a reporter. “I have to thank my professors who have taught me so much and challenged me to be better every day.”

The Ailes Rising Apprentice Scholarship recipients were introduced during a recent graduation ceremony for current apprentices at Fox’s headquarters in New York City. Featured speakers at the event included Dr. Bernice A. King, Dr. Alveda King, Bishop T.D. Jakes and special video messages from Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.